The document discusses the call to discipleship and following Jesus, despite challenges. It summarizes passages from Matthew 10:24-39. The key messages are: 1) Following Jesus involves sharing in his suffering and proclaiming his message, even when it causes division. 2) Jesus reassures his disciples that God cares for them and they should not fear what others may do to them. 3) True discipleship requires putting Jesus before all else, even family relationships.

1. The Call of
Discipleship
4th Sunday after Pentecost: 25th June 2023

2. We want to serve…. But…
Too expensive
Too time consuming
Too overwhelming
Too tiring Too painful

3. Today…
What does God’s Word have to say to us today?
Matthew 10: 24-39

4. 10:25 it is enough for the
disciple to be like the teacher,
and the slave like the master.
If they have called the master
of the house Beelzebul, how
much more will they malign
those of his household!
10:26 "So have no fear of
them; for nothing is covered
up that will not be
uncovered, and nothing
secret that will not become
known.

5. What is the message for TODAY?
The cost of following Jesus
The apprentice represents the Master
The disciple follows the Teacher
They share the same pain, the same suffering
They proclaim the same Message
The same Message has the same Power to reveal
CHALLENGES?
When we really follow, we will really suffer too
Yet we share in God’s plan

6. 10:28 Do not fear those who kill
the body but cannot kill the
soul; rather fear him who can
destroy both soul and body in
hell.
10:29 Are not two sparrows
sold for a penny? Yet not one of
them will fall to the ground
apart from your Father.
10:30 And even the hairs of
your head are all counted.
10:31 So do not be afraid; you
are of more value than many
sparrows.

7. What is the message for TODAY?
Jesus reassures, He gives Hope
We need to realise: it is not US, it is HIM
HE gives us courage
HE takes care of us
We are His apprentices, His family
We are okay
PROBLEM?
We rely on ourselves, on others, but seldom HIM…
Focusing on the Lord makes all the difference

8. 10:32 "Everyone therefore who acknowledges
me before others, I also will acknowledge before
my Father in heaven;
10:33 but whoever denies me before others, I
also will deny before my Father in heaven.
10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring
peace to the earth; I have not come to bring
peace, but a sword.
10:35 For I have come to set a man against his
father, and a daughter against her mother, and a
daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
10:36 and one's foes will be members of one's
own household.

9. What is the message for TODAY?
The direction of Jesus’ message
Jesus brings a saving message, also a divisive one
Before peace, there will be disruptions
Those who accept will have to confront those who don’t
We have to take a stand for the Gospel
That cost is heavy

10. 10:37 Whoever loves father
or mother more than me is
not worthy of me; and
whoever loves son or
daughter more than me is
not worthy of me;
10:38 and whoever does
not take up the cross and
follow me is not worthy of
me.
10:39 Those who find their
life will lose it, and those
who lose their life for my
sake will find it.

11. Priorities upside down; relationships relativised
What is the message for TODAY?
JESUS
FAMILY
SELF

12. The sun cannot compare
to the glory of Your love
There is no shadow in Your
presence
No mortal man would dare
to stand before Your throne
Before the Holy One of
heaven
Offering

13. Bridge
It's only by Your blood
And it's only through Your
mercy
Lord, I come
Offering… (cont)

14. Chorus
I bring an offering
Of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves
The praises that I sing
Jesus, may You receive
The honor that You're due
O Lord, I bring an offering to
You…
Offering… (cont)